Force Sensing Device

1. A force sensing device comprising: a sensing array comprising a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; said first conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive rows and said second conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive columns, said plurality of conductive rows and said plurality of conductive columns being arranged to define a plurality of intersections; an electro-active layer overlaying said first conductive layer, said electro-active layer comprising a pressure sensitive element at each intersection of said plurality of intersections; a force concentrating structure positioned at each intersection of said plurality of intersections on said second conductive layer, wherein said force concentrating structure provides a protrusion of said second conductive layer into an air gap between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer; and a cover layer laminated to said force sensing device by means of an adhesive layer, said adhesive layer comprising an adhesive and a plurality of openings in said adhesive.

2. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein said force concentrating structure comprises a dielectric material.

3. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein said force concentrating structure comprises a dielectric ink.

4. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein said force concentrating structure comprises a plurality of layers.

5. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein said force concentrating structure comprises an embossed substrate.

6. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein said pressure sensitive element comprises a quantum tunnelling material.

7. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a spacer layer comprising a plurality of spacer elements, wherein said plurality of openings are aligned with said plurality of spacer elements to create an air gap between said cover layer and a supporting substrate of said force sensing device.

8. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a spacer layer comprising a plurality of spacer elements.

9. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein a height of said force concentrating structure is at least six microns.

10. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a first array of force concentrating structures having a first height, and a second array of force concentrating structures having a second height, wherein said first height and said second height are substantially different.

11. An electronic device comprising the force sensing device of claim 1.

12. A method of producing a force sensing device, comprising steps of: printing a sensing array in the form of a first conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive rows and a second conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive columns, arranged to define a plurality of intersections; printing an electro-active layer over said first conductive layer such that said electro-active layer comprises a pressure sensitive element at each intersection of said plurality of intersections; providing a force concentrating structure at each intersection of said plurality of intersections on said second conductive layer to provide a protrusion of said second conductive layer into an air gap between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer; and laminating a cover layer to said force sensing device by means of an adhesive layer, said adhesive layer comprising an adhesive and a plurality of openings in said adhesive.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of providing a force concentrating structure comprises a step of: depositing a dielectric material onto a substrate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of depositing comprises printing a plurality of layers of dielectric material.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of depositing comprises providing a bead of dielectric material at each intersection of said plurality of intersections.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of depositing comprises providing a plurality of beads of dielectric material at each intersection of said plurality of intersections.

17. A method of producing a force sensing device, comprising steps of: printing a sensing array in the form of a first conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive rows and a second conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive columns, arranged to define a plurality of intersections; printing an electro-active layer over said first conductive layer such that said electro-active layer comprises a pressure sensitive element at each intersection of said plurality of intersections; and providing a force concentrating structure at each intersection of said plurality of intersections on said second conductive layer to provide a protrusion of said second conductive layer into an air gap between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer, wherein said step of providing a force concentrating structure comprises a step of: depositing a dielectric material onto a substrate, wherein said step of depositing comprises providing a bead of dielectric material at each intersection of said plurality of intersections.